Method, system and program product for communicating e-commerce content over-the-air to mobile devices

ABSTRACT

Product or service information in the form of selected wireless e-commerce content is transmitted from a server to a mobile device, such as mobile telephone or personal digital assistant. The e-commerce content is transmitted either in response to an explicit user request for communication of the e-commerce content, or, in the alternative, is “pushed” to the mobile device as permitted by a user but in the absence of a specific request. The e-commerce content received at the mobile device is presented to a user by the mobile device in textual or graphical format in conjunction with an indication of a communication needed to consummate an e-commerce transaction. If the user desires to purchase the good or service represented by the e-commerce content, the user initiates the communication indicated by the e-commerce content.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a non-provisional patent application that claims priority to andthe benefit of provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 60/529,688,filed Dec. 15, 2003, titled, Method, System and Program Product ForCommunicating E-Commerce Content Over-The-Air To Mobile Devices, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention is directed to data communication and, inparticular, to over-the-air or through-the-air communication ofe-commerce content to mobile computing devices. Still more particularly,the present invention is directed to methods, systems and programproducts that enable an e-commerce server to distribute e-commercecontent to mobile computing devices, which then present the content toencourage and facilitate a user concluding an e-commerce transactioninvolving over-the-air or through-the-air communication.

2. Description of Related Art

E-commerce, that is, commercial transactions consummated throughelectronic communication (e.g., via the World Wide Web (WWW)), is arapidly expanding segment of the global economy. In a typical e-commercetransaction, a desktop or laptop computer user decides upon a good orservice that the user is interested in purchasing and then initiatesaccess to a retailer's or service provider's e-commerce website via theWWW, perhaps after conducting a search for the website with a commercialsearch engine. After the desired e-commerce website is located, the usersearches the website for the desired good or service, either byconducting a search of the website or by paging through the websitecontent. The user may then add the desired product or service to avirtual “shopping cart” that collects the user's intended purchases byselecting a graphical “button” associated with a graphical or textualdescription of the good or service. After the user indicates that allintended purchases have been added to the virtual “shopping cart,” thee-commerce website presents to the user a form into which the userenters and transmits payment information (e.g., a credit card number).Once the payment information is approved, the website presents to theuser a confirmation that a transaction is complete and may indicate adelivery schedule or methodology.

The present invention recognizes that, from the perspective of both thee-commerce retailer and the user, the conventional e-commerce paradigmdescribed above has a number of shortcomings. First, for example,commercial transactions are generally limited by the availability of alaptop or desktop computer, as well as network connectivity with theInternet. Even with the advent of publicly available wireless networkconnectivity (e.g., so called “wireless fidelity” (Wi-Fi)), access to atraditional computer and network connectivity still represents asignificant restriction on the conduct of e-commerce. Second, forexample, it is undesirable for a user to be forced to search for thegoods and services out of the myriads of websites on the WWW. From theuser's perspective, the search process can be time consuming andfrustrating, and from the retailer's perspective, the retailer wouldlike to ensure that the user finds the retailer's website and not thatof a competitor. Third, for example, even if the user locates the user'swebsite, the user may have difficulty locating the desired goods orservices on the retailer's website, or the retailer may be out of stockof the desired goods.

These and other shortcomings collectively represent significantimpediments to the conduct of e-commerce, which are addressed andovercome by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing and in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present invention, selected wireless mobile e-commerce (hereinafter,“m-commerce”) content, such as product or service information, istransmitted from a server to a mobile device, such as a mobile telephoneor personal digital assistant (“PDA”). In one embodiment, for example,the m-commerce content is transmitted in response to an explicit userrequest for communication of the m-commerce content. The user ispermitted to view an item on his or her mobile device and prompted tomake a purchase (e.g., via a “buy” key or selecting an icon or toolbaron the mobile device). In another embodiment, the m-commerce content is“pushed” to the mobile device in the absence of a specific request. Forexample, such solicitations may occur multiple times per day, prompt theuser to browse various “departments” or categories of goods or services,walk a user through a form for shopping, or combinations thereof.

The m-commerce content received at the mobile device can be presented tothe user of the mobile device in textual or graphical format inconjunction with an indication of a communication needed to consummatean m-commerce transaction. If the user desires to purchase the good orservice represented by the m-commerce content, the user initiates thecommunication indicated by the m-commerce content. In one embodiment,the present invention uses a wireless, web access protocol (WAP) thatallows a user to visit a website via a mobile device and consummate anentire transaction (e.g., with a credit or debit card) through themobile device.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method offacilitating wireless mobile e-commerce. A method, for example, includespermitting users to designate user preferences in a data storageassociated with a server having a program product. The user preferences,for example, include contact information for mobile devices anddesignations of products about which the users are interested inreceiving mobile e-commerce content via the mobile devices. The methodalso includes selecting a product to be featured in a mobile e-commercecontent responsive to the user preferences, forming a mobile e-commercecontent having a mobile alert that gives users an option to view agraphics-enabled application launched from within the mobile alert suchthat an application programming interface at the mobile devicesinterfaces with the data storage and the program product on the serverregarding product suppliers to permit access to the mobile devices andproduct information, selecting a user designating the product byreference to the user preferences in the data storage. transmitting themobile e-commerce content from the server to the mobile device of theuser, soliciting the user with the mobile e-commerce content on themobile device regarding the product, indicating on the mobile devicethat a communication is needed from the user to consummate a mobilee-commerce transaction involving the product, and permitting the user toinitiate the communication solicited by the mobile e-commerce content ifthe user desires to purchase the product and complete the mobilee-commerce transaction.

In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a computerserver presenting information as a mobile product selection service formobile on-line product selection by users over a publicly accessiblecomputer network. A computer server, for example, includes a processor,an interface connecting the processor to the publicly accessiblecomputer network for mobile communication with users, and a storagemedium containing information about products for selection by users. Theprocessor transmits from the storage medium mobile e-commerce contentrelating to on-line products from a product selection website to solicitusers with the mobile e-commerce content on mobile devices and formingin the storage medium records of the users' responses to the transmittedmobile e-commerce content. The processor further prompts the users onthe mobile devices to make purchases of the products in response to themobile e-commerce content, forms records of user responses on thestorage medium, and indicates to each user that a communication fromeach user is needed to consummate a mobile e-commerce transactioninvolving the products. The processor further permits the users toinitiate the communications solicited by the mobile e-commerce contentif the users desire to purchase the products represented by the mobilee-commerce content over the publicly accessible computer network.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a system forproviding a mobile product selection service for mobile on-line productselection by users over a publicly accessible computer network. Asystem, for example, includes a server computer at a site accessible tothe computer network. The server computer has a processor, memorycoupled to the processor to store operating instructions therein, and agraphical display coupled to the processor for displaying graphicalimages. Data storage is also accessible to the processor of the servercomputer and contains database records about product selection. Thesystem also includes a mobile device accessible to the computer networkand having a processor, memory coupled to the processor to storesoftware, and receive database records therein, and a graphic displaycoupled to the processor for displaying graphic images. The systemfurther includes a mobile user interface for interfacing between theprocessor and the mobile device to provide user access over the computernetwork to manipulate the stored software and received database recordsand machine-readable instructions stored in the memory of the servercomputer for causing the processor to perform the following operations:transmit from the server computer mobile e-commerce content relating toon-line products from a product selection website to solicit users withthe mobile e-commerce content on mobile devices, form at the servercomputer prompts to the users on the mobile devices to make purchases ofthe products in response to the mobile e-commerce content, form at theserver computer indications to the users that a communication from eachuser is needed to consummate a mobile e-commerce transaction involvingthe products, receive at the server computer communications from themobile devices of the users if the users desire to purchase the productsrepresented by the mobile e-commerce content over the publiclyaccessible computer network, and form at the server computer on thestorage medium a record of the users' responses to the transmittedmobile e-commerce content.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a computerreadable medium that is readable by a computer connected to a publiclyaccessible computer network to facilitate mobile e-commerce over thecomputer network with users. A computer readable medium, for example,includes a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer,cause the computer to perform the following operations: transmit fromthe computer mobile e-commerce content relating to on-line products froma product selection website to solicit users with the mobile e-commercecontent on mobile devices, form at the server computer prompts to theusers on the mobile devices to make purchases of the products inresponse to the mobile e-commerce content, form at the server computerindications to the users that a communication from each user is neededto consummate a mobile e-commerce transaction involving the products,receive at the server computer communications from the mobile devices ofthe users if the users desire to purchase the products represented bythe mobile e-commerce content over the publicly accessible computernetwork, and form at the server computer on the storage medium a recordof the users' responses to the transmitted mobile e-commerce content.

In addition, still another embodiment of the present invention providesa computer memory element containing a stored in signal bearing mediadatabase. The database, for example, contains the following data incomputer readable format: data indicating transmission of mobilee-commerce content to a user of a mobile device that is wireless and themobile e-commerce content being related to on-line products from aproduct selection website for transmission to users on a publiclyaccessible computer network, data indicating solicitation of the userwith the mobile e-commerce content on the mobile device regarding aproduct, data indicating presentation to the user on the mobile deviceinformation regarding the product, data indicating a prompt to the useron the mobile device to make a purchase of the product in response tothe mobile e-commerce content, data indicating to the user on the mobiledevice that a communication is needed to consummate a mobile e-commercetransaction involving the product, and data indicating initiative by theuser to respond to communication solicited by the mobile e-commercecontent if the user desires to purchase the product represented by themobile e-commerce content.

According to embodiments of methods, program products, and systems ofthe present invention, an m-commerce server, for example, canadvantageously have a client relationship with the mobile device, asunderstood by those skilled in the art, so that the communicationbetween the server and the mobile device operates like a dedicated link.As such, the user has no need to separately access and search theInternet, enter a domain name or website address, scroll through aplurality of web pages and/or selections on a single page, find aproduct or service area in which the user is interested, scroll throughmore product selection screens, locate a product or service in which theuser has a desire in purchasing or finding more information on theproduct or service, and somehow consummate an e-commerce transaction.Consummation of an e-commerce transaction often previously was difficultto accomplish, as the mobile device had no secure and efficient way toenter or receive credit card, debit card, or other payment information.Unlike embodiments of methods, program products, and systems of thepresent invention, this previous more tedious and time consumingprocess, for example, discourages users from initiating or consummatingan e-commerce transaction via a mobile device, especially in view of asignificant use of mobile device being when users are traveling, havelittle time between or during stops, and have other actions oroperations occurring around them. In contrast, embodiments of methods,program products, and systems of the present invention provide enhancede-commerce solutions with mobile devices so that retailer, wholesalers,or other businesses can reach mobile customers in an efficient andtimely manner to receive requests for, selectively solicit, andconsummate mobile commerce transactions.

Other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent in the following detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the features, benefits, and advantages of the present inventionhaving been stated, others will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile e-commerce system and environmentin which the present invention may be practiced;

FIG. 2 is a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary process bywhich an m-commerce server transmits mobile alerts to mobile devices inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary process bywhich a mobile device processes e-commerce content received from anm-commerce server in a mobile alert in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 depicts a sequence of wireframes representing the display of amobile alert in a graphics-enabled mobile device in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a high level logical flowchart of one embodiment of a methodof facilitating mobile e-commerce via mobile e-commerce content inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of facilitating mobile e-commerceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a mobile e-commerce system furtherillustrating communication to a mobile device according to an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention, however, may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth and illustrated herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in theart. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mobile e-commerce (hereinafter,“m-commerce”) environment 8 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown, the m-commerce environment 8 includes anm-commerce server 10 having associated data storage 12. The data storage12 includes a product database 14 storing descriptions of a collectionof products and/or services (hereinafter, the term “product” may be usedto mean product, service, or both) offered for sale. In one embodiment,the product database 14 includes both textual and graphical information(e.g., a photograph) regarding the products and/or services. Productsthat are themselves capable of expression in digital form (e.g.,programs, font sets, photographs, musical works, and movies) can also bestored within the product database 14.

The data storage 12 further includes a user database 16 containingaccount information for each user authorized to access the m-commerceserver 10 to purchase goods and services from among the collectionlisted in the product database 14. The account information for each userpreferably includes at least the user's mobile alert preferences 18.

The mobile alert preferences 18 include at least contact information forat least one registered mobile device (e.g., a telephone number or emailaddress of the mobile device) and can further include a designation ofat least one individual or group of products or services about which theuser is interested in receiving alerts via the registered mobile device.The m-commerce server 10 accordingly preferably provides a subscriberinterface through which the user can utilize a mobile device 30 and/or aconventional computer to designate a product or service of interest tothat user. The designation can specify a range or group of products orservices (e.g., automobiles, golf clubs, or discounted items) or canidentify a specific product or service, for example, by catalog number,SKU, model number, or simply by description. The m-commerce server 10can also store one or more designations individually for each user orcan store such designations for groups of users.

Optionally, the account information stored within the user database 16for each user can additionally include, for example, a user's login IDand associated password, physical mailing address, e-mail address, andpayment information (e.g., bank account or credit card information). Inaddition, the account information can describe the hardware, software,and/or program products within the user's registered mobile device and acommerce history indicating what products and services have beenadvertised to the user via the registered mobile device and the user'sprevious m-commerce purchases.

The m-commerce environment 8, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, furtherincludes one or more mobile devices 30 (only one of which isillustrated). The mobile devices 30 within the m-commerce environment 8can be implemented with any portable communication device capable ofover-the-air or through-the-air radio frequency (“RF”) communication, asunderstood by those skilled in the art, with the m-commerce server 10.For example, the mobile device 30 can be a mobile telephone, an emailcommunication device (e.g., such as those sold under the trademarkBLACKBERRY), a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other mobile device.Regardless of the embodiment, each of the mobile devices 30 preferablyincludes a display 32 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (“LCD”)) capableof displaying the textual and/or graphical e-commerce contentdistributed by the m-commerce server 10.

In addition, in an embodiment in which one or more of the mobile devices30 includes telephony functionality, the mobile device 30 can include avirtual or physical keypad 34 that, inter alia, can be utilized by theuser to enter a destination telephone number, such as that of the callcenter 24, as described further below. In the illustrated embodiment,the mobile device 30 further includes a navigation device 36, such asarrow buttons,scroll knob, key, or dial, and a selection button 38(e.g., a “buy” or purchasing key, icon, or toolbar). Arrow buttons 36,for example, can permit a user to navigate a cursor among textual orgraphical options presented within the display 32, and depression ofselection button 38 indicates user selection of the option designated bythe cursor.

In the illustrated embodiment of the m-commerce environment 8 (see FIG.1), the m-commerce server 10 is coupled (e.g., via the Internet or otherlink) by a communication network 20, or other communication link asunderstood by those skilled in the art, which may include one or moredata, RF, telephony, satellite, or other over-the-air or through-the-airnetworks, to a base station system as understood by those skilled in theart, and such as including a cellular communication tower 22. Asindicated at reference numeral 26, the m-commerce server 10 employsover-the-air or through-the-air radio frequency communication by acellular communication tower 22 to distribute to the mobile device 30e-commerce content representing goods or services listed in the productdatabase 14 associated with the m-commerce server 10 that are availablefor purchase. Of course, in other embodiments, the e-commerce contentcan be delivered to the mobile device 30 over-the-air or through-the-airby an earth-orbiting satellite, Wi-Fi antenna, or other radio frequencytransmitter. It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the m-commerce server 10 can transmit the e-commerce content to allor only selected ones of the registered mobile devices listed within themobile alert preferences 18.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the e-commercecontent can be transmitted either in response to an explicit userrequest for communication of the e-commerce content or, in thealternative, can be “pushed” to the mobile device in the absence of aspecific request. The e-commerce content received at the mobile device30 is preferably presented within display 32 in textual or graphicalformat in conjunction with an indication of a communication need toconsummate an e-commerce transaction. If the user desires to purchasethe good(s) or service(s) represented by the e-commerce content, theuser initiates the communication indicated by the e-commerce content.For example, the user can initiate a wireless voice call from the mobiledevice 30 via the communication network 20, or otherwise communicate viathe Internet, with the call center 24 at which a live or automatedattendant concludes an m-commerce transaction with the user. In thealternative, for example, the user can communicate a purchase indicationdirectly to the m-commerce server 10, which automatically concludes thedesired m-commerce transaction. Notably, the call center 24 can alsoaccess the m-commerce server 10, such as through the Internet, to accessadditional products in the product database 14 for other desiredcommunication needs to a user.

As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, in another example,embodiments of the present invention provide a computer server 10 thatserves as a gateway for presenting information as a mobile productselection service for mobile on-line product selection by users over apublicly accessible computer network 20. The computer server 10, forexample, includes a processor 11, memory 13, and a display 15, aninterface 17 (e.g., an ethernet card) connecting the processor 11 to thepublicly accessible computer network 20 for mobile communication withusers, and storage medium 12 containing information about products forselection by users. The server 10, for example, also can have access toone or more other separate and remote servers 21 (e.g., for productselection websites), such as retailer, wholesaler, or other businessservers having one or more databases 23 associated therewith containinginformation about products and/or users. This access can be through aglobal communication network, such as the Internet, a local areanetwork, or other communication link as understood by those skilled inthe art. The database 14, for example, can contain a subset of theinformation contained in one or more databases 23. The server 10transmits from the storage medium 13 mobile e-commerce content relatingto on-line products from, for example, a product selection website tosolicit users with the mobile e-commerce content on mobile devices 30and forms in the storage medium 13 records of the users' responses tothe transmitted mobile e-commerce content. The server 10 further promptsthe users on the mobile devices 30 to make purchases of the products inresponse to the mobile e-commerce content and forming records of userresponses on the storage medium 12. The server 10 further indicates toeach user that a communication from said each user is needed toconsummate a mobile e-commerce transaction involving the products.

In addition, the server 10 further permits the users to initiate thecommunications solicited by the mobile e-commerce content if the usersdesire to purchase the products represented by the mobile e-commercecontent over the publicly accessible computer network 20. Such as shownin FIG. 7, the m-commerce server 10, for example, can advantageouslyhave a client relationship with the mobile device 30, as understood bythose skilled in the art, so that the communication between the server10 and the mobile device 30 operates like a dedicated link. As such, theuser has no need to access the Internet, enter a domain name or websiteaddress, scroll through a plurality of web pages and/or selections on asingle page, find a product or service area in which the user isinterested, scroll through more product selection screens, locate aproduct or service in which the user has a desire in purchasing orfinding more information on the product or service, and somehowconsummate an e-commerce transaction. Consummation of an e-commercetransaction often previously could not be accomplished, as the mobiledevice 30 had no secure way to enter or receive credit card, debit card,or other payment information.

Unlike embodiments of methods, program products, and systems of thepresent invention, this more tedious and time consuming process, forexample, discourages users from initiating or consummating an e-commercetransaction via a mobile device, especially in view of a significant useof mobile devices being when users are traveling, have little timebetween or during stops, and have other actions or operations occurringaround them. In contrast, embodiments of methods, program product, andsystems of the present invention provide enhanced e-commerce solutionswith mobile devices 30 so that retailer, wholesalers, or otherbusinesses can reach mobile customers in an efficient and timely mannerto receive requests for, selectively solicit, and effectively consummatemobile commerce transactions.

FIG. 2 illustrates a high level logical flowchart of a process by whichthe m-commerce server 10 transmits e-commerce content to mobile devicesin a mobile alert in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The illustrated process can be executed by the m-commerceserver 10 with or without administrative intervention, and can furtherbe executed periodically, for example, daily or weekly. Hereafter, forease of description, it will be assumed that the mobile alerts featureproducts rather than services. It will be appreciated by those skilledin the art, however, that the present invention is also applicable tomobile alerts featuring services.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, and as will be understood by those skilled inthe art, the mobile devices 30 can download client application software41 to be stored in memory, e.g., flash memory 40, of the mobile device30 and can include mobile device enhancement program product 42 orsoftware and application program interface program product or softwarefrom an input/output having download 48, e.g., wireless or hardwire,capabilities associated with the mobile device 30 via a communicationlink 26 with another computer or the server 10, or be provided withclient application program product or software upon purchase of themobile device, to enhance client communication capabilities to them-server 10, to enhance GUI displays to the user, and to enhance otherfeatures 44 for the user as a set of program instruction as understoodby those skilled in the art and as described herein, such as mobilealerts, make purchase consummation, gathering account information,viewing detail on product, viewing past orders, shipment tracking, andsecurity encryption.

As illustrated, the process begins at block 50 and thereafter proceedsto block 52, which illustrates the m-commerce server 10, such as throughsoftware stored in the memory 13, determining a particular product(s)within the product database 14 to be featured within a mobile alert. Asnoted above, the selection of one or more products at block 52 can beperformed by a human administrator or can be performed by the m-commerceserver 10, for example, based upon a high inventory level, age ofinventory, sales history of the product, time of year, and/or otherfactors. As shown at block 56, the m-commerce server 10 then selects aset of mobile devices 30 to which a mobile alert featuring the selectedproduct(s) will be transmitted. In one embodiment, the mobile devices 30are selected based upon the mobile alert preferences 18. Because thisembodiment of the invention only transmits mobile alerts to users thathave subscribed to the mobile alert service and have indicated apreference for receiving information about the featured product(s), userresponse to receipt of the mobile alert is likely to be favorable.

The process then passes from block 56 to block 58, which illustrates them-commerce server 10 transmitting an advertisement for the featuredproduct to the mobile devices 30 selected at block 56. The mobile alertpreferably includes a description of the product, the price of theproduct and, optionally, an image or picture of the product and/or thequantity in stock. The mobile alert preferably also includes anindication of a communication that the user can initiate from the mobiledevice 30 in order to facilitate purchase of the featured product. Themobile alert can be transmitted in a variety of different formatsdepending upon the bandwidth of the communication technology and thecapabilities of the target mobile devices. For example, if the targetmobile devices 30 are conventional mobile telephones, the mobile alertcan include a Short Message Service (SMS) message. If, however, thetarget mobile devices are third generation (3G) binary runtimeenvironment for wireless-enabled (BREW-enabled) 46 (such as store inread only memory (ROM) 45 in communication with a processor 47) mobiletelephones, as understood by those skilled in the art, the mobile alertcan include a graphics-rich “page” in the product database 14 thatdescribes the featured product(s). Following the transmission of themobile alert to the selected users, the process depicted in FIG. 2terminates at block 60.

FIG. 3 illustrates a high level logical flowchart of an exemplaryprocess by which the mobile device 30 can process e-commerce contentreceived from the m-commerce server 10 in a mobile alert in accordancewith the present invention. For purposes of the following description,it will be assumed that the mobile device 30 is a mobile telephone asunderstood by those skilled in the art. Modifications to the illustratedprocess required for other mobile devices, such as an email pager,however, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdescription.

As illustrated, the process begins at block 70, for example, when a userpowers on his or her mobile device 30. For conventional mobiletelephones, the transmission of the mobile alert is signaled to the userat power on, for example, by illuminating an LED (Light Emitting Diode)message light or by displaying a text message (e.g., “You have 3 newmessages”) within display 32. The entire message is pushed to the mobiledevice when it connects with the network. When a user receives an alert(e.g., via LED, tone, display, or other signal), a new message is readyand already downloaded to the mobile device. Alternatively, in block 72,the mobile device 30 determines whether or not the user has entered a“Read Messages” input to initiate retrieval of the mobile alert from themobile device's memory. If not, the process passes from block 72 toblock 78, which generally represents mobile device 30 performing otherprocessing in accordance with user inputs. In response to adetermination at block 72 that the user has entered a “RetrieveMessages” input, the mobile device 30 can download the mobile alert andany other queued message from the wireless communication networkutilizing over-the-air or through-the-air communication, as depicted atblock 74.

411 The mobile device 30 next determines at block 76 whether or not theuser has entered a “Present Messages” input to invoke presentation ofthe mobile alert. If not, the process passes from block 76 to block 78,which again represents the mobile device 30 performing other processingin accordance with user inputs. If, however, the mobile device 30determines at block 76 that the user has entered a “Present Messages”input, the process passes to block 80.

Block 80 illustrates the mobile device 30 presenting the mobile alertwithin the display 32 in accordance with the format of the mobile alert,and optionally, user preferences and/or the capabilities of the mobiledevice 30. For example, if the mobile alert is transmitted by them-commerce server 10 as an SMS message, the mobile device 30 presentsthe mobile alert within the display 32 in textual format. If, however,the mobile device 30 supports graphical displays (e.g., isBREW-enabled), for example, the mobile device 30 can display a graphicalmobile alert (e.g., a photograph of the featured product together withdescriptive text) within the display 32. The mobile alert canalternatively be displayed as a textual message having an embedded linkthat, if selected, causes the mobile device 30 to access an additionalgraphical “page” regarding the featured product(s) from the productdatabase 14.

In any of these embodiments, the mobile alert preferably includes anindication of a communication that can be initiated by the userutilizing the mobile device 30 in order to purchase the featuredproduct. For example, if the mobile alert is presented in strictlytextual format, the textual message can contain a telephone number ofcall center 24. In an alternative embodiment in which the mobile device30 supports the display of embedded links within the mobile alert, themobile alert can contain one or more links that, if selected, cause themobile device 30 to initiate a voice call to the call center 24 or thatcause the mobile device 30 to transmit the telephone number of themobile device 30 to the call center 24 to request a voice call back. Inyet another embodiment, the mobile alert can contain a link that, ifselected, initiates communication of a “Make An Immediate Purchase” orother indication message or signal from the mobile device 30 to them-commerce server 10, indicating the user's desire to buy the featuredproduct.

The process illustrated in FIG. 3 proceeds from block 80 to block 82,which depicts the mobile device 30 iterating until a user input isdetected. In response to receipt of a user input, the mobile device 30determines at block 84 whether or not the user input signifies a commandto initiate communication with the m-commerce server 10 or the callcenter 24. For example, the user can initiate voice communication withthe call center 24 by entering a speed dial code, dialing the telephonenumber of the call center 24 utilizing the keypad 34, or selecting alink displayed within the display 32 utilizing the arrow buttons 36 andthe selection button 38. The user can alternatively enter a commandinitiating data (not voice) communication of a “Make An ImmediatePurchase” or other indication message to the m-commerce server 10, forexample, by selecting a link displayed in the mobile alert.

If the mobile device 30 determines at block 84 that the detected userinput does not signify a command to initiate communication with the callcenter 24 or the m-commerce server 10, the process passes to block 78,which illustrates the mobile device 30 performing other processing inaccordance with the detected user input. If, however, the mobile device30 detects a user input signifying a command to initiate communicationwith the call center 24 or the m-commerce server 10, the mobile device30 initiates the indicated communication at block 86 in order tocomplete a mobile e-commerce transaction purchasing the featured good.If the communication is a voice call, the user can be required tocommunicate purchase information, such as a credit card number or bankaccount information, to a live or automated attendant at the call center24, either vocally or utilizing keypad 34. Alternatively, if datacommunication is initiated with the m-commerce server 10, the e-commercetransaction can be concluded by the user transmitting purchaseinformation to the m-commerce server 10 via keypad 34 (e.g., by enteringa complete credit card number or by entering a keyed command for themobile device 30 to access and transmit purchase information pre-storedwithin the mobile device 30). In such case, it is desirable if themobile device 30 has a secure communication link, as understood by thoseskilled in the art, with the m-commerce server 10 in order to protectthe user's financial information.

In yet another embodiment in which the purchase information ispre-stored within the user database 16, the communication between themobile device 30 and the m-commerce server 10 indicates the user'sdesire to purchase the featured product, but does not contain purchase(i.e., financial) information such as a credit card number. Again, suchcommunication can employ one or more means for protecting users fromfraud, such as encryption, password protection, or other techniques(such as personal information (e.g., name, address, and/or telephonenumbers) about the registered user) for authenticating the identity ofthe user and protecting the contents of the data communication. Forexample, in one embodiment, an application programming interface (API)is used at the mobile device and the mobile e-commerce content isencrypted in Ron's code #4 or Rivest (“RC4”) encryption plus ellipticalcurve as understood by those skilled in the art. Following block 86, theprocess terminates at block 90.

Below, a particular embodiment of the present invention is described inorder to encourage greater understanding of the invention. It should beunderstood that the below-disclosed embodiment is merely illustrative ofthe present invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

OVERVIEW OF ONE EMBODIMENT

Functionality

-   -   SMS Alerts can be sent to self-selected members associated with        product or service suppliers based on product categories in        which they express interest. Once downloaded to the phone, a        BREW application can be launched from the text-based SMS message        so that the consumer can view more detailed product information,        an image of the product, and quantity remaining information        directly from existing database(s) of product or service        suppliers.

Devices

-   -   Mobile alerts for product or service suppliers can be available        for all U.S. carriers/devices that support SMS. The system, for        example, can selectively attempt to support or actually support        the majority of the SMS services. A single template for text        messages will be developed and used for all        carrier/device/category combinations.    -   The BREW application, for example, can be supported by the        following Verizon Wireless phones: Motorola 720, Toshiba 9500,        and LG 4400. A single BREW application can be presentable across        the varying screen sizes of BREW-enabled devices.

Interfaces

-   -   The web-based Subscriber Interface can enable members or product        or service suppliers to enter basic information about their        wireless service and to opt-in for mobile alerts.    -   The web-based Operator Interface of product or service suppliers        can enable supplier personnel to create mobile alert messages.    -   Application programming interfaces (APIs) to existing relational        database and mass email sender of product or service suppliers        can allow the Mobile Alert system to get subscriber email        addresses and product information.        Features        Consumer Features

Manage My Mobile Alerts

After providing usemame and password, members of product or servicesuppliers can be able to un/subscribe via the product or servicesupplier website and can select up to seven daily mobile alerts.

-   -   After subscribing for mobile alerts, members can be sent the        next regularly scheduled alert(s). Subscription cancellations        can be processed as quickly as possible. Members, however, can        receive that day's alert, depending on the time of the        cancellation relative to the when the mailing list is collected.    -   Members that opt-in for text alerts, but whose devices or        wireless service does not support SMS cannot typically receive        messages and cannot typically be notified that they cannot        receive alerts.    -   Members who mistype their telephone number may not be notified        by product or service suppliers. Alerts that bounce due to        incorrect telephone numbers may not be tracked by the system.    -   Members with BREW-enabled phones can request SMS messages        instead of Product Viewer images.

Download Product Viewer

-   -   Members of product or service suppliers, for example, can        download the BREW-based Daily Deal Viewer over-the-air or        through-the-air and via a website. A single BREW application is        presentable across the varying screen sizes of BREW devices.    -   User database tracks which users have downloaded the Daily Deal        Viewer and version downloaded

Receive Text Alert

-   -   The subscriber can receive a daily text SMS message with that        day's promotion based on the category for which the subscriber        has signed up. Product name, brief description of the offer,        product price, carrier promotion code, product SKU, and 1-800        number can be included in the text message.    -   A single template for text messages can be used for all        carrier/device/category combinations. In order to support the        majority of carriers/devices, SMS message length may be limited        to 140 characters, for example.

Call Overstock.com from Text Alert

-   -   If the subscriber wishes to purchase the item, she can call the        1-800 number included in the SMS message.    -   If the device/carrier supports calling within a SMS message, the        user may call the number directly from the SMS message.    -   If the subscriber's carrier/device does not support calling from        within the SMS application, the user may be required to quit the        text message application in order to contact the Overstock.com        call center associated with the product or service supplier.

Forward Text Alert

-   -   Subscribers shall be able to forward a mobile alert. Depending        on the carrier/device combination subscribers can be able to        forward to a telephone number, an email address, both, or        neither.

Launch Product Viewer from Text Alert

-   -   The SMS message can give the subscriber the option to view a        BREW application launched from within the SMS message that can        display a supplier logo, more detailed product information, an        image of the product or service, carrier promotion code and list        the quantify of products available, e.g. “ONLY 100 AVAILABLE!”        on the promotion of that day. The quantity of product available        can be a static number and not a real-time inventory check.    -   The BREW Daily Deal viewer can be launched from an SMS mobile        alert (BREW wake-up based on subscriber selecting a URL) or        automatically launched if the mobile telephone is BREW-enabled        based on subscriber preference?

Call Overstock.com from Product Viewer

-   -   The user can purchase the item by calling the supplier's 1-800        number from within the BREW Daily Deal Viewer application.

Daily Deal M-Commerce

-   -   One-click ordering is also enabled on the website, e.g. credit        card number and expiration date saved on the product or service        supplier servers.

BREW Daily Deal Viewer application includes encryption.

An example of wireframes representing the user's viewing experience whenusing a BREW-enabled mobile device are depicted in FIG. 4. In thisembodiment, the user can launch the Daily Deal Viewer in the absence ofa Mobile Alert and view Daily Deals directly from the m-commerce server.Alternatively, the user can launch the Daily Deal viewer from an SMSmessage. In this embodiment, the user can also initiate a call to thecall center 24 or a call back from the call center 24, if supported bythe mobile telephone 30. If automatically initiating a call via themakeVoiceCall Internet Telephony API (ITAPI) is not supported by themobile telephone, the user terminates the Daily Deal Viewer to initiatea regular voice call to the call center.

Operator Features

Create Text Alerts

-   -   Operator enters Daily Deal information for each product        category. A single template for text messages is used for all        carrier/device/category combinations.

Save Alert

-   -   Once the Operator has created a text alert, the data can be        saved as a draft. For example, only one draft can be saved for        each category.

Preview Text Alerts

-   -   The Operator is required to preview the text message before        publishing it for distribution. The Operator can preview each        text alert on a web page. The Operator shall be able to preview        both newly created alerts and saved alerts.

Edit Text Alerts

-   -   Operators shall be able to view saved alerts and edit them prior        to the preview/publish process.

Publish Text Alerts

-   -   By clicking a “Publish” button for each text alert, the Operator        indicates that content has been finalized and is ready for        distribution to subscribers.    -   The system automatically suppresses old alerts from the Operator        user interface, so only a single alert can be saved for each        category at one time.    -   Operators, for example, may not be able to set publish dates.    -   The system will not notify the Operator if they forget to        publish saved alerts or if they forget to publish all        categories.

Product Viewer Presentation

-   -   Permits operator to preview each Product View for the Daily        Deals

Manually Launch BREW App

-   -   If available on the device, the member shall be able to manually        start-up the Daily Deal Viewer and view today's Daily Deals.

System and Administrative Features

Send Text Alerts

-   -   The system shall send all text alerts as emails. The system        shall query the relational database to get a list of subscriber        email addresses by product category. Text alerts will be        automatically sent by the system at TBC each day. The suppliers        IT, for example, can change the scheduled send time by updating        a system configuration file. Upon completion of the daily send,        the system can report the total number of text messages sent for        that day.

Pull Product Viewer Data

-   -   Pull existing product details from relational database.

Rightsize Product Images

-   -   Sizes product images to correct size for proper display

The SMS messages and/or Product Views can be personalized for each user,if desired.

As shown in FIG. 5, one embodiment of a method of facilitating wirelessmobile e-commerce constructed in accordance with the present inventionstarts as indicated at step 501, and permits users to designate userpreferences in a data storage (e.g., having one or more databases 14)associated with a server 10 having a program product, as depicted atstep 503. The user preferences can include contact information formobile devices 30 and designations of products about which the users areinterested in receiving mobile e-commerce content via the mobile devices30. As illustrated at step 505, a product is selected and featured in amobile e-commerce content responsive to the user preferences. A mobilee-commerce content is formed (step 507) and includes a mobile alert thatgives users an option to view a graphics-enabled application 41 launchedfrom within the mobile alert such that an application programminginterface (API) 43 at the mobile devices 30 interfaces with the datastorage 12 and the program product, e.g., stored in the memory 13, onthe server 10 regarding product suppliers to permit access to the mobiledevices 30 and product information. In one embodiment, the server is anm-commerce server 10 for serving the mobile e-commerce content, and step507 includes forming the mobile e-commerce content as an SMS message tobe sent back to a BREW-enabled mobile device 30. Upon receiving thismessage, the mobile device 30 prompts the user to view the message. Ifthe user chooses to do this, then a BREW application is opened and theuser can view more detailed (e.g., graphical) information about theproduct mentioned in the initial SMS message. Alternatively, the SMSmessage gives users the option to view a BREW application launched fromwithin the SMS message such that the API at each of the mobile devices30 interfaces with the data storage and a mass e-mail sender of productsuppliers to permit access to the mobile device 30 and productinformation.

As depicted at step 509 one or more users are selected who designatingthe product by reference to the user preferences in the data storage 14.The mobile e-commerce content is transmitted from the server 10 to themobile device 30 of the user, as illustrated at step 511. The methodfurther can include soliciting the user (step 513) with the mobilee-commerce content on the mobile device 30 regarding the product,indicating on the mobile device 30 that a communication is needed (step515) from the user to consummate a mobile e-commerce transactioninvolving the product, and permitting the user to initiate thecommunication solicited by the mobile e-commerce content (step 517) ifthe user desires to purchase the product and complete the mobilee-commerce transaction, before ending at step 519.

At step 511, the method also can include making the mobile e-commercecontent a type of communication such as an SMS message or e-mail fordisplay to the user on the mobile device 30, a webpage for display tothe user on the mobile device 30, or a telephone call to the mobiledevice 30, and, at step 517, can include receiving a contact from theuser selected from the group consisting of an e-mail, a telephone call,and a response wherein the user selects a website link in the mobilee-commerce content. Step 511 also can include transmitting to a mobiledevice 30 selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, ane-mail communication device, and a personal digital assistant.Alternatively, the method can include one of: transmitting in responseto an explicit user request for communication of the mobile e-commercecontent, and transmitting to the mobile device 30 and soliciting theuser in an absence of a specific request for the mobile e-commercecontent from the user, and prompting the user to browse selectedcategories of products.

The method still further can include transmitting a plurality ofsolicitations to the user for different products and, at step 513,presenting on the mobile device 30 information regarding the product,and prompting the user via the mobile device 30 to make a purchase ofthe product in response to the mobile e-commerce content. At step 515,the method can include presenting the mobile e-commerce content receivedat the mobile device 30 to the user of the mobile device 30 in textualor graphical format, and presenting a description, a price, and an imageof the product. In addition, at step 517, the method can includeprompting the user to actuate a purchasing key on the mobile device 30to indicate that the user wishes to purchase the product.

The method yet further can include utilizing the server 10 to provide auser interface through which the user can utilize the mobile device 30to establish a user account having a user login ID and associatedpassword, a shipping address, and payment information, and storingcommerce history of the user indicating what products have beensolicited to and purchased by the user via the mobile device 30.Moreover, the method can further include permitting the user to forwardthe mobile e-commerce content from the mobile device 30 to anotherdevice that can receive and display the mobile e-commerce content.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a method of facilitatingwireless mobile e-commerce. The method, for example, starts as indicatedat step 601, and includes registering a user (step 603) at a mobileserver 10 via a mobile device 30 to provide a registered user interfacethrough which the user establishes a registered user account having auser login ID and associated password, a shipping address, paymentinformation. As illustrated at step 605, a mobile server 10 is used toestablish an encrypted, direct link with the registered user starting anapplication on the mobile device 30 and automatically sizing a mobilee-commerce content for display on the mobile device 30. The method alsoincludes communicating with the mobile device 30 via the mobile server(step 607), with the mobile server 10 having access to a product websiteserver for accessing product information therefrom regarding a productselection website. As depicted at step 609, product information isdownloaded from the mobile server 10 to the mobile device 30, and (step611) the registered user is permitted to browse the downloaded productinformation on the mobile device 30. As illustrated at step 613, themethod also includes receiving an initiative from the mobile device 30to purchase a product at the mobile server 10 based on the downloadedproduct information; permitting the registered user to enter the productselection website via the mobile device 30 to consummate a purchasetransaction (step 615), and sending verification of registered use tothe mobile device 30 and of the purchase transaction such that anentirety of the purchase transaction is conducted at the mobile device30 (step 617), before ending at step 619.

The method can still further include the steps of tracking a shipment ofthe product with the mobile server 10, and sending information regardingthe purchase transaction to the product website server 21. Step 605 mayinclude utilizing an application programming interface at the mobiledevice 30 and encrypting the mobile e-commerce content, while step 609can include browsing images, data, and pricing for products. Step 605also can include transmitting to a mobile device 30 selected from thegroup consisting of an e-mail communication device, a personal digitalassistant, and a mobile telephone, and making the mobile e-commercecontent a type of communication selected from the group consisting of ane-mail for display on the mobile device 30, a webpage for display on themobile device 30, and a telephone call to the mobile device 30. Step 613also can include receiving a contact from the registered user selectedfrom the group consisting of an e-mail, a response wherein theregistered user selects a website link in the mobile e-commerce content,and a telephone call. Alternatively, step 605 can include one oftransmitting the mobile e-commerce content to the mobile device 30 inresponse to an explicit request from the registered user forcommunication of the mobile e-commerce content, transmitting the mobilee-commerce content to the mobile device 30 and soliciting the registereduser in absence of a specific request for the mobile e-commerce contentfrom the registered user.

The method yet also can include the step of selecting the product to befeatured in the mobile e-commerce content, and permitting the registereduser to designate user preferences that include contact information forat least one registered mobile device 30, and to designate at least onegroup of products about which the registered user is interested inreceiving mobile alerts via the at least one registered mobile device30. In addition, the mobile e-commerce content can include an SMSmessage that gives the registered user an option to view a BREWapplication launched from within the SMS message, and an applicationprogramming interface at the mobile device 30 interfaces with a datastorage 14 associated with the mobile server 10 and a mass e-mail senderof product suppliers to permit access to an e-mail address of theregistered user and product information.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing m-commerce paradigm asillustrated in FIGS. 1-7, and as described herein, presents revenueopportunities for the carrier of the wireless communication in that theretailer can offer a percentage of sales or fixed fee based on apurchase to the wireless communication in exchange for directing trafficto the retailer. The wireless carrier can further incentivize itscustomers to subscribe to the Mobile Alert service by offeringdiscounted communication services for subscribers to the Mobile Alertservice. In another embodiment, for example, a finder's fee can beallocated from the retailer to the carrier for facilitating commercialtraffic to the retailer. Such fees can be incremental based on the levelof interest of the consumers (e.g., mere inquiries via “clicking,”pass-through to purchase).

Although the invention has been particularly shown as described withreference to described embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, it will be appreciated that the concepts disclosed hereincan be extended or modified to apply to other types of configurationconstructs having different rules than the particular exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein. In addition, the present invention is notlimited to current networks and carriers. As new wireless technologiesare developed, the present invention may be applied to thosetechnologies with substantially no or minimal alteration.

In addition, although aspects of the present invention have beendescribed with respect to a computer system or server executing softwarethat directs the functions of the present invention, it should beunderstood by those skilled in the art that present invention canalternatively be implemented as a program product for use with a dataprocessing system. Programs defining the functions of the presentinvention, for example, can be delivered to a data processing system viaa variety of signal-bearing media, which include, without limitation,non-rewritable storage media (e.g., CD-ROM), rewritable storage media(e.g., a floppy diskette or hard disk drive), and communication media,such as digital and analog networks. It should be understood, therefore,that such signal-bearing media, when carrying or encoding computerreadable instructions that direct the functions of the presentinvention, represent alternative embodiments of the present invention.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typicalembodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for thepurpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A method of facilitating wireless mobile e-commerce, the methodcomprising: (a) permitting users to designate user preferences in a datastorage associated with a server having a program product, the userpreferences including contact information for mobile devices anddesignations of products about which the users are interested inreceiving mobile e-commerce content via the mobile devices; (b)selecting a product to be featured in a mobile e-commerce contentresponsive to the user preferences; (c) forming a mobile e-commercecontent comprising a mobile alert that gives users an option to view agraphics-enabled application launched from within the mobile alert suchthat an application programming interface at the mobile devicesinterfaces with the data storage and the program product on the serverregarding product suppliers to permit access to the mobile devices andproduct information; (d) selecting a user designating the product byreference to the user preferences in the data storage; (e) transmittingthe mobile e-commerce content from the server to the mobile device ofthe user; (f) soliciting the user with the mobile e-commerce content onthe mobile device regarding the product; (g) indicating on the mobiledevice that a communication is needed from the user to consummate amobile e-commerce transaction involving the product; and (h) permittingthe user to initiate the communication solicited by the mobilee-commerce content if the user desires to purchase the product andcomplete the mobile e-commerce transaction.
 2. A method as defined inclaim 1, wherein step (e) comprises making the mobile e-commerce contenta type of communication selected from the group consisting of an e-mailfor display to the user on the mobile device, a webpage for display tothe user on the mobile device, and a telephone call to the mobiledevice, and wherein step (h) comprises receiving a contact from the userselected from the group consisting of an e-mail, a telephone call, and aresponse wherein the user selects a website link in the mobilee-commerce content.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (e)comprises transmitting to a mobile device selected from the groupconsisting of a mobile telephone, an e-mail communication device, and apersonal digital assistant.
 4. A method as defined in claim 1, whereinstep (e) comprises one of: transmitting in response to an explicit userrequest for communication of the mobile e-commerce content; andtransmitting to the mobile device and soliciting the user in an absenceof a specific request for said mobile e-commerce content from the user,and prompting the user to browse selected categories of products.
 5. Amethod as defined in claim 1, further comprising transmitting aplurality of solicitations to the user for different products; andwherein step (f) includes presenting on the mobile device informationregarding the product, and prompting the user via the mobile device tomake a purchase of the product in response to the mobile e-commercecontent.
 6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (g) comprisespresenting the mobile e-commerce content received at the mobile deviceto the user of the mobile device in textual or graphical format, andpresenting a description, a price, and an image of the product.
 7. Amethod as defined in claim 1, wherein step (h) comprises prompting theuser to actuate a purchasing key on the mobile device to indicate thatthe user wishes to purchase the product.
 8. A method as defined in claim1, further comprising: utilizing the server to provide a user interfacethrough which the user can utilize the mobile device to establish a useraccount having a user login ID and associated password, a shippingaddress, and payment information; and storing a commerce history of theuser indicating what products have been solicited to and purchased bythe user via the mobile device.
 9. A method as defined in claim 1,wherein step (h) comprises the user clicking on an icon displayed on themobile device to make a purchase transaction, and further comprisingpermitting the user to forward the mobile e-commerce content from themobile device to another device that can receive and display the mobilee-commerce content.
 10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein theserver is an m-commerce server for serving the mobile e-commercecontent, and step (c) comprises forming the mobile e-commerce content asan SMS message sent to a BREW-enabled mobile device, and upon receivingthe SMS message, the mobile device prompts the user to view the SMSmessage and if the user views the SMS message, then a BREW applicationis opened so that the user can view more detailed information about theproduct described in the SMS message.
 11. A method of facilitatingwireless mobile e-commerce, the method comprising: (a) transmittingmobile e-commerce content from a server to a wireless mobile device; (b)soliciting a user of the wireless mobile device with the mobilee-commerce content on the wireless mobile device regarding a product;(c) presenting to the user on the wireless mobile device informationregarding the product; (d) prompting the user on the wireless mobiledevice to make a purchase of the product in response to the mobilee-commerce content; (e) indicating to the user on the wireless mobiledevice that a communication from the user is needed to consummate amobile e-commerce transaction involving the product; and (f) permittingthe user to initiate the communication solicited by the mobilee-commerce content if the user desires to purchase the productrepresented by the mobile e-commerce content.
 12. A method as defined inclaim 11, further comprising, prior to step (a), downloading mobiledevice enhancement program product onto the wireless mobile device,selecting the product to be featured in the mobile e-commerce content,selecting a user designating the product by reference to a userpreference, and permitting the user to designate user preferences thatinclude contact information for at least one registered wireless mobiledevice, and to designate at least one group of products about which theuser is interested in receiving mobile alerts via said at least oneregistered wireless mobile device.
 13. A method as defined in claim 11,wherein step (a) comprises making the mobile e-commerce content a typeof communication selected from the group consisting of an e-mail fordisplay to the user on the wireless mobile device, a webpage for displayto the user on the wireless mobile device, and a telephone call to thewireless mobile device, and wherein step (f) comprises receiving acontact from the user selected from the group consisting of an e-mail, aresponse wherein the user selects a website link in the mobilee-commerce content, and a telephone call.
 14. A method as defined inclaim 11, wherein step (a) comprises transmitting to a wireless mobiledevice selected from the group consisting of an e-mail communicationdevice, a personal digital assistant, and a mobile telephone, and themethod further comprising prior to step (a), downloading mobile deviceenhancement program product onto the wireless mobile device, the mobiledevice enhancement program product including application programinterface program product and a set of instructions to enhance productpurchase by the mobile device.
 15. A method as defined in claim 11,wherein step (a) comprises one of: transmitting in response to anexplicit user request for communication of the mobile e-commercecontent; and transmitting to the wireless mobile device and solicitingthe user in absence of a specific request for said mobile e-commercecontent from the user.
 16. A method as defined in claim 11, furthercomprising transmitting a plurality of solicitations to the user fordifferent products, and prompting the user to browse selected categoriesof products.
 17. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein step (c)comprises presenting the mobile e-commerce content received at thewireless mobile device to the user of the wireless mobile device intextual or graphical format, and presenting a description, a price, andan image of the product.
 18. A method as defined in claim 11, whereinstep (e) comprises prompting the user to actuate a purchasing key on thewireless mobile device to indicate that the user wishes to purchase theproduct.
 19. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising:utilizing the server to provide a user interface through which the usercan utilize the wireless mobile device to establish a user accounthaving a user login ID and associated password, a shipping address, andpayment information; and storing a commerce history of the userindicating what products have been solicited to and purchased by theuser via the wireless mobile device.
 20. A method as defined in claim11, further comprising permitting the user to forward the mobilee-commerce content from the wireless mobile device to another devicethat can receive, display, and enable the mobile e-commerce content toconsummate the mobile e-commerce transaction.
 21. A method as defined inclaim 11, wherein the mobile e-commerce content comprises an SMS messagesent to a BREW-enabled mobile device, and upon receiving the SMSmessage, the mobile device prompts the user to view the SMS message andif the user views the SMS message, then a BREW application is opened sothat the user can view more detailed information about the productdescribed in the SMS message.
 22. A computer server presentinginformation as a mobile product selection service for mobile on-lineproduct selection by users over a publicly accessible computer network,the computer server comprising: a processor; an interface connecting theprocessor to the publicly accessible computer network for mobilecommunication with users; a storage medium containing information aboutproducts for selection by users; said processor transmitting from thestorage medium mobile e-commerce content relating to on-line productsfrom a product selection website to solicit users with the mobilee-commerce content on mobile devices and forming in the storage mediumrecords of the users' responses to the transmitted mobile e-commercecontent; the processor further prompting the users on the mobile devicesto make purchases of the products in response to the mobile e-commercecontent and forming records of user responses on the storage medium; theprocessor further indicating to each user that a communication from saideach user is needed to consummate a mobile e-commerce transactioninvolving the products; and the processor further permitting the usersto initiate the communications solicited by the mobile e-commercecontent if the users desire to purchase the products represented by themobile e-commerce content over the publicly accessible computer network.23. A computer server as defined in claim 22, further including theprocessor permitting users to designate user preferences on the storagemedium that include contact information for registered mobile devices,and to designate groups of products about which the users are interestedin receiving mobile alerts via said registered mobile devices.
 24. Acomputer server as defined in claim 22, further including the processorpresenting the mobile e-commerce content as a type of communicationselected from the group consisting of e-mails for display to the userson the mobile devices, web pages for display to the users on the mobiledevices, and telephone calls to the mobile devices, and receivingcontacts from the users selected from the group consisting of e-mails,responses wherein the users select website links in the mobilee-commerce content, and telephone calls.
 25. A computer server asdefined in claim 22, further including the processor transmitting inresponse to one of explicit user requests for communication of themobile e-commerce content; and an absence of specific requests for saidmobile e-commerce content from the users.
 26. A computer server asdefined in claim 22, further including the processor transmitting aplurality of solicitations to the users for different products, andprompting the users to browse selected categories of products.
 27. Acomputer server as defined in claim 22, further including the processorpresenting the mobile e-commerce content received at the mobile devicesin textual or graphical format, and presenting descriptions, prices, andimages of the products.
 28. A computer server as defined in claim 22,further including the processor: providing user interfaces through whichthe users utilize the mobile devices to establish user accounts havinguser login IDs and associated passwords, shipping addresses, and paymentinformation; and storing commerce histories of the users indicating whatproducts have been solicited to and purchased by the users via themobile devices.
 29. A computer server as defined in claim 22, whereinthe mobile e-commerce content comprises an SMS message sent to aBREW-enabled mobile device, and upon receiving the SMS message, themobile device prompts the user to view the SMS message and if the userviews the SMS message, then a BREW application is opened so that theuser can view more detailed information about the product described inthe SMS message.
 30. A system for providing a mobile product selectionservice for mobile on-line product selection by users over a publiclyaccessible computer network, the system comprising: a server computer ata site accessible to the computer network, the server computer having aprocessor, memory coupled to the processor to store operatinginstructions therein, and a graphical display coupled to the processorfor displaying graphical images; a data storage accessible to theprocessor of the server computer and containing database records aboutproduct selection; a mobile device accessible to the computer network,the mobile device having a processor, memory coupled to the processor tostore client application software therein, and to receive databaserecords therein, a graphic display coupled to the processor fordisplaying graphic images; a mobile user interface for interfacingbetween the processor and the mobile device to provide user access overthe computer network to manipulate the stored software and receiveddatabase records; and machine-readable instructions stored in the memoryof the server computer for causing the processor to perform thefollowing operations: transmit from the server computer mobilee-commerce content relating to on-line products from a product selectionwebsite to solicit users with the mobile e-commerce content on mobiledevices; form at the server computer prompts to the users on the mobiledevices to make purchases of the products in response to the mobilee-commerce content; form at the server computer indications to the usersthat a communication from each user is needed to consummate a mobilee-commerce transaction involving the products; receive at the servercomputer communications from the mobile devices of the users if theusers desire to purchase the products represented by the mobilee-commerce content over the publicly accessible computer network; andform at the server computer on the storage medium a record of the users'responses to the transmitted mobile e-commerce content.
 31. A computerreadable medium that is readable by a computer connected to a publiclyaccessible computer network to facilitate mobile e-commerce over thecomputer network with users, the computer readable medium comprising: aset of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause thecomputer to perform the following operations: transmit from the computermobile e-commerce content relating to on-line products from a productselection website to solicit users with the mobile e-commerce content onmobile devices; form at the server computer prompts to the users on themobile devices to make purchases of the products in response to themobile e-commerce content; form at the server computer indications tothe users that a communication from each user is needed to consummate amobile e-commerce transaction involving the products; receive at theserver computer communications from the mobile devices of the users ifthe users desire to purchase the products represented by the mobilee-commerce content over the publicly accessible computer network; andform at the server computer on the storage medium a record of the users'responses to the transmitted mobile e-commerce content.
 32. A computermemory element containing a stored in signal bearing media database, thedatabase containing the following data in computer readable format: dataindicating transmission of mobile e-commerce content to a user of amobile device that is wireless, the mobile e-commerce content relatingto on-line products from a product selection website for transmission tousers on a publicly accessible computer network; data indicatingsolicitation of the user with the mobile e-commerce content on themobile device regarding a product; data indicating presentation to theuser on the mobile device information regarding the product; dataindicating a prompt to the user on the mobile device to make a purchaseof the product in response to the mobile e-commerce content; dataindicating to the user on the mobile device that a communication isneeded to consummate a mobile e-commerce transaction involving theproduct; and data indicating initiative by the user to respond tocommunication solicited by the mobile e-commerce content if the userdesires to purchase the product represented by the mobile e-commercecontent.
 33. A computer system facilitating mobile e-commerce over apublicly accessible computer network, the computer system comprising: aprocessor; a storage medium having data accessible to the processor; aninput/output for transferring data to the processor; the processorcomprising: means for transmitting mobile e-commerce content from aserver to a user of a mobile device that is wireless; means forsoliciting the user with the mobile e-commerce content on the mobiledevice regarding a product; means for presenting to the user on themobile device information regarding the product; means for prompting theuser on the mobile device to make a purchase of the product in responseto the mobile e-commerce content; means for indicating to the user onthe mobile device that a communication is needed to consummate a mobilee-commerce transaction involving the product; and means for permittingthe user to initiate the communication solicited by the mobilee-commerce content if the user desires to purchase the productrepresented by the mobile e-commerce content.
 34. A method offacilitating wireless mobile e-commerce, the method comprising: (a)starting an application on a mobile device, the application having anencrypted, direct link to a mobile server and automatically sizing amobile e-commerce content for a display of the mobile device; (b)communicating with the mobile server via the mobile device, the mobileserver having access to a product website server for accessing productinformation therefrom regarding a product selection website; (c)downloading product information from the mobile server to the mobiledevice; (d) browsing the downloaded product information on the mobiledevice; (e) indicating a desire to purchase a product from the mobiledevice to the mobile server based on the downloaded product information;(f) entering the product selection website via the mobile device toconsummate a purchase transaction; and (g) receiving verification ofregistered use at the mobile device and of the purchase transaction suchthat an entirety of the purchase transaction is conducted at the mobiledevice.
 35. A method as defined in claim 34, further comprising thesteps of tracking a shipment of the product with the mobile server, andsending information regarding the purchase transaction to the productwebsite server.
 36. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein step (f)comprises one of initially registering with the product selectionwebsite for a first time, and logging into the product selection websiteas a previously registered user.
 37. A method as defined in claim 34,wherein step (d) comprises browsing images, data, and pricing forproducts.
 38. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein step (a)comprises utilizing an application programming interface at the mobiledevice and encrypting the mobile e-commerce content.
 39. A method asdefined in claim 34, further comprising the step of selecting theproduct to be featured in the mobile e-commerce content, and permittinga registered user to designate user preferences that include contactinformation for at least one registered mobile device, and to designateat least one group of products about which the registered user isinterested in receiving mobile alerts via said at least one registeredmobile device.
 40. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein step (a)comprises making the mobile e-commerce content a type of communicationselected from the group consisting of an e-mail for display on themobile device, a webpage for display on the mobile device, and atelephone call to the mobile device, and wherein step (e) comprisesreceiving a contact from the user selected from the group consisting ofan e-mail, a response wherein the user selects a website link in themobile e-commerce content, and a telephone call.
 41. A method as definedin claim 34, wherein step (a) comprises transmitting to a mobile deviceselected from the group consisting of an e-mail communication device, apersonal digital assistant, and a mobile telephone.
 42. A method asdefined in claim 34, wherein step (a) comprises one of: transmitting themobile e-commerce content to the mobile device in response to anexplicit user request for communication of the mobile e-commercecontent; and transmitting the mobile e-commerce content to the mobiledevice and soliciting the user in absence of a specific request for themobile e-commerce content from the user.
 43. A method as defined inclaim 34, further comprising: utilizing the mobile server via the mobiledevice to provide a registered user interface through which the userestablishes a registered user account having a user login ID andassociated password, a shipping address, and payment information; andstoring a commerce history of the registered user indicating whatproducts have been solicited to and purchased by the registered user viathe mobile device.
 44. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein themobile e-commerce content comprises an SMS message sent to aBREW-enabled mobile device, and upon receiving the SMS message, themobile device prompts the user to view the SMS message and if the userviews the SMS message, then a BREW application is opened so that theuser can view more detailed information about the product described inthe SMS message.
 45. A method of facilitating wireless mobilee-commerce, the method comprising: (a) registering a user at a mobileserver via a mobile device to provide a registered user interfacethrough which the user establishes a registered user account having auser login ID and associated password, a shipping address, paymentinformation; (b) using a mobile server to establish an encrypted, directlink with the registered user starting an application on the mobiledevice and automatically sizing a mobile e-commerce content for displayon the mobile device; (c) communicating with the mobile device via themobile server, the mobile server having access to a product websiteserver for accessing product information therefrom regarding a productselection website; (d) downloading product information from the mobileserver to the mobile device; (e) permitting the registered user tobrowse the downloaded product information on the mobile device; (f)receiving an initiative from the mobile device to purchase a product atthe mobile server based on the downloaded product information; (g)permitting the registered user to enter the product selection websitevia the mobile device to consummate a purchase transaction; and (h)sending verification of registered use to the mobile device and of thepurchase transaction such that an entirety of the purchase transactionis conducted at the mobile device.
 46. A method as defined in claim 45,further comprising the steps of tracking a shipment of the product withthe mobile server, and sending information regarding the purchasetransaction to the product website server.
 47. A method as defined inclaim 45, wherein step (b) comprises utilizing an applicationprogramming interface at the mobile device and encrypting the mobilee-commerce content, and wherein step (d) comprises browsing images,data, and pricing for products.
 48. A method as defined in claim 45,further comprising the step of selecting the product to be featured inthe mobile e-commerce content, and permitting the registered user todesignate user preferences that include contact information for at leastone registered mobile device, and to designate at least one group ofproducts about which the registered user is interested in receivingmobile alerts via said at least one registered mobile device.
 49. Amethod as defined in claim 45, wherein step (b) comprises transmittingto a mobile device selected from the group consisting of an e-mailcommunication device, a personal digital assistant, and a mobiletelephone, and making the mobile e-commerce content a type ofcommunication selected from the group consisting of an e-mail fordisplay on the mobile device, a webpage for display on the mobiledevice, and a telephone call to the mobile device, and wherein step (f)comprises receiving a contact from the registered user selected from thegroup consisting of an e-mail, a response wherein the registered userselects a website link in the mobile e-commerce content, and a telephonecall.
 50. A method as defined in claim 45, wherein step (b) comprisesone of: transmitting the mobile e-commerce content to the mobile devicein response to an explicit request from the registered user forcommunication of the mobile e-commerce content; and transmitting themobile e-commerce content to the mobile device and soliciting theregistered user in absence of a specific request for the mobilee-commerce content from the registered user.
 51. A method as defined inclaim 45, wherein the mobile e-commerce content comprises an SMS messagesent to a BREW-enabled mobile device, and upon receiving the SMSmessage, the mobile device prompts the user to view the SMS message andif the user views the SMS message, then a BREW application is opened sothat the user can view more detailed information about the productdescribed in the SMS message.